City staff are suggesting a few changes to their plans to add more residential housing to Crestview and Porter Creek, but even more suggestions could be on their way at next week's council meeting.

Coun. Ranj Pillai said Monday night he will bring forward further amendments to the infill proposal at next week's meeting. He was reluctant to tell reporters exactly what he has in mind.

"I'm going to take (the) week and talk to people,” he told reporters after last night's meeting. He was referring to the residents who made nearly 60 written or vocal submissions to council on the matter at an April 11 public hearing.

Almost all stated their opposition to the plans. They cited concerns over the loss of green space (with many of the sites to be rezoned from environmental protection or green space to residential zones) and recreational areas, environmental issues and potential geotechnical problems, depending on the site.

Coun. Dave Stockdale said last night the city has heard the residents' concerns and has made changes to the plans based on those anxieties.

"We do listen,” he said.

He quickly added that council has endorsed the concept of infill, as it is an easy way to allow for more residential development in the city quickly.

"We will be infilling in the future,” Stockdale said.

In presenting the public hearing report last night, city planning manager Mike Gau kept to the recommendation that the sites be rezoned, making just three concessions to the overall plans.

The first would see the proposed new lots at 12th Avenue and Centennial Street shortened to 38 metres from the originally suggested 45 metres so they don't interfere with a toboggan hill behind.

After the concern was raised during the public hearing, planners visited the site. They found the lots should be shortened so those using the hill don't end up colliding with a fence or on someone's property once it is developed.

Another change would see a portion of the site at the north end of Elm Street keep its greenbelt zoning after a number of residents argued the riparian area should remain.

"Administration confirms that the proposed lot is further than 30 m from the creek, which respects the riparian setback policy in the OCP (Official Community Plan),” Gau stated in his report to council.

"However, administration is recommending that this lot not be rezoned to allow for continued usage of this parcel for wildlife habitat.”

The other portion of the site up for rezoning, across the street, is proposed to be a multi-housing site. Many neighbours argued it wouldn't fit with the character of the neighbourhood, largely made up of single-family homes.

Gau pointed out the easements and encumbrances on the property make it better for a multi-housing development. He also stated, however, that council could opt to change the proposed zoning to residential single-detached.

At Elm Street and 14th Avenue, the city is proposing to set up a tot lot that would replace the playground near the Guild Hall which would be taken down to make room for development. Gau has suggested the city look at having traffic speeds reduced in that area.

The other sites at Rainbow Road and Klukshu Avenue, on 14th Avenue and on Boxwood Crescent would be changed to residential zoning, as has been proposed.

"I have mixed emotions on it,” Pillai said of the overall infill plans.

He questioned whether the city should be focusing so much time and energy on approximately 22 potential lots during the city's worst housing crisis.

City staff have stated the demand for housing goes beyond what Whistle Bend - the next major subdivision in town - will accommodate.

Pillai, however, said it's important to think about other options and bigger projects for diversifying the city's housing stock as opposed to changing the neighbourhoods people have been enjoying for years.

Before he brings forward any amendments and votes on the proposal next week, Pillai said, he will look at all the data available from what residents have stated to the city's information on the sites.

Council will vote on whether to move ahead with the rezoning bylaw at its meeting next week.

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